Structural dichroism in the antiferromagnetic insulating phase of V_2O_3

We performed near-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) at V K edge in the antiferromagnetic insulating (AFI) phase of a 2.8% Cr-doped V_2O_3 single crystal. Linear dichroism of several percent is measured in the hexagonal plane and found to be in good agreement with ab-initio calculations based on multiple scattering theory. This experiment definitively proves the structural origin of the signal and therefore solves a controversy raised by previous interpretations of the same dichroism as non-reciprocal. It also calls for a further investigation of the role of the magnetoelectric annealing procedure in cooling to the AFI phase.Comment: 4 pages 3 figures. To be published in Phys. Rev. B (2005

Dynamic phenomena in superconducting oxides by ESR

Dynamic electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements compare the paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic (AF) properties of superconducting oxides in the range 4 K to room temperature, at 8 MHz and 9.36 GHz. Two are derivatives of YBa2Cu30 7: 1: Nd(Nd0.05Ba0.95 )2Cu30 7, Te0 =72 K and II: Y0.2Cao.8Sr2[Cu2(Tlo.5Pb0.5 )]07, Te0 =108 K and two are cases where AF ordering dominates the weak superconductivity: III: Nb01.1\u3e 1. 25 ~Teo~ 10 K and IV: La2Ni04.00, 70 K :::: Teo:::: 40 K. At temperatures 298:::: T:::: 64 K, the ESR absorption by I indicates orthorhombic symmetry. The peaks at Ke =2.06, gb =2.13, and Ka =2.24 are identified with the presence of 5% Nd3+( 41912 ) in the Ba layer because the characteristic Cu2+ impurity hyperfine structure is absent and the ESR signal disappears several degrees below Te. Near Te the ESR absorption is reduced by two orders of magnitude. Proximity effects give rise to interference fringes with period r1 ( T) independent of the field B and the rate of sweep dBzldt. ESR is observed below Te because flux penetrates the superconductor. The temperature dependence of r1 leads to an activation energy for the flux motion E0 (1)/R ~ 16 K and Ea (111)/R ~3 K =Te /4. In the superconducting state a coherent flux expulsion response to a change in B. from 500 mT to zero is observed in times T, = 8 to 10 s. The inverse rate of noise spikes due to flux expulsion, when the samples are cooled through Te in a magnetic field, varies from Tnoise=3.5 s for III to 21 s for IV. The microwave absorption spectra identify three temperature regimes: (i) For 3.5 K \u3c T \u3c T m T* \u3c Teo superconducting behavior was confirmed by the energy loss near zero magnetic field and the kinetics of high-field noise due to flux expulsion. Near g =2.00 ESR absorption is observed for all materials. A broad absorption near 50 to 100 mT at 9.36 GHz has been attributed to AF resonance. (ii) T m T* ~ T ~ Te identifies the range where flux motion gives rise to interference fringes in the ESR absorption. (iii) ESR and AF resonance are observed immediately after warming above Tc

Origin of atomic clusters during ion sputtering

Previous studies have shown that the size distributions of small clusters ( n<=40 n = number of atoms/cluster) generated by sputtering obey an inverse power law with an exponent between -8 and -4. Here we report electron microscopy studies of the size distributions of larger clusters ( n>=500) sputtered by high-energy ion impacts. These new measurements also yield an inverse power law, but one with an exponent of -2 and one independent of sputtering yield, indicating that the large clusters are produced when shock waves, generated by subsurface displacement cascades, ablate the surface

The Role of Grain Boundaries in Determining the Transport Properties in Magnetite

We present magnetoresistance and Hall-effect measurements on single crystal magnetite (Fe3O4) close to the Verwey transition TV = 123.8 K. We show that the formation of grain boundaries accompanying the reduction in crystal symmetry plays a significant role in the electron scattering mechanism, and that grain boundaries can account for the apparent change in sign of the charge carriers below TV

Modus Vivendi Beyond the Social Contract: Peace, Justice, and Survival in Realist Political Theory

This essay examines the promise of the notion of modus vivendi for realist political theory. I interpret recent theories of modus vivendi as affirming the priority of peace over justice, and explore several ways of making sense of this idea. I proceed to identify two key problems for modus vivendi theory, so conceived. Normatively speaking, it remains unclear how this approach can sustain a realist critique of Rawlsian theorizing about justice while avoiding a Hobbesian endorsement of absolutism. And conceptually, the theory remains wedded to a key feature of social contract theory: political order is conceived as based on agreement. This construes the horizontal tensions among individual or group agents in society as prior to the vertical, authoritative relations between authorities and their subjects. Political authority thereby appears from the start as a solution to societal conflict, rather than a problem in itself. I argue that this way of framing the issue abstracts from political experience. Instead I attempt to rethink the notion of modus vivendi from within the lived experience of political conflict, as oriented not primarily toward peace, but political survival. With this shift of perspective, the idea of modus vivendi shows us, pace Bernard Williams, that the “first political question” is not how to achieve order and stability, but rather: what can I live with

Characterization of nanometer-sized, mechanically exfoliated graphene on the H-passivated Si(100) surface using scanning tunnelling microscopy

We have developed a method for depositing graphene monolayers and bilayers with minimum lateral dimensions of 2-10 nm by the mechanical exfoliation of graphite onto the Si(100)-2x1:H surface. Room temperature, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) tunnelling spectroscopy measurements of nanometer-sized single-layer graphene reveal a size dependent energy gap ranging from 0.1-1 eV. Furthermore, the number of graphene layers can be directly determined from scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) topographic contours. This atomistic study provides an experimental basis for probing the electronic structure of nanometer-sized graphene which can assist the development of graphene-based nanoelectronics.Comment: Accepted for publication in Nanotechnolog

The Frenet Serret Description of Gyroscopic Precession

The phenomenon of gyroscopic precession is studied within the framework of Frenet-Serret formalism adapted to quasi-Killing trajectories. Its relation to the congruence vorticity is highlighted with particular reference to the irrotational congruence admitted by the stationary, axisymmetric spacetime. General precession formulae are obtained for circular orbits with arbitrary constant angular speeds. By successive reduction, different types of precessions are derived for the Kerr - Schwarzschild - Minkowski spacetime family. The phenomenon is studied in the case of other interesting spacetimes, such as the De Sitter and G\"{o}del universes as well as the general stationary, cylindrical, vacuum spacetimes.Comment: 37 pages, Paper in Late

Gyroscopic Precession and Inertial Forces in Axially Symmetric Stationary Spacetimes

We study the phenomenon of gyroscopic precession and the analogues of inertial forces within the framework of general relativity. Covariant connections between the two are established for circular orbits in stationary spacetimes with axial symmetry. Specializing to static spacetimes, we prove that gyroscopic precession and centrifugal force both reverse at the photon orbits. Simultaneous non-reversal of these in the case of stationary spacetimes is discussed. Further insight is gained in the case of static spacetime by considering the phenomena in a spacetime conformal to the original one. Gravi-electric and gravi-magnetic fields are studied and their relation to inertial forces is established.Comment: 21 pages, latex, no figures, http://202.41.67.76/~nayak/gpifass.te

Like-charge attraction through hydrodynamic interaction

We demonstrate that the attractive interaction measured between like-charged colloidal spheres near a wall can be accounted for by a nonequilibrium hydrodynamic effect. We present both analytical results and Brownian dynamics simulations which quantitatively capture the one-wall experiments of Larsen and Grier (Nature 385, p. 230, 1997).Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure